Destrehan WR chooses LSU

this is a discussion within the College Community Forum; Iowa safety commits to join Green Wave
From staff reports
Coach Les Miles' words, &quot;Would you like to be a LSU Tiger?&quot; played like sweet music to the ears of Destrehan wide receiver Tim Molton on Wednesday.
Molton didn't hesitate ...

Coach Les Miles' words, "Would you like to be a LSU Tiger?" played like sweet music to the ears of Destrehan wide receiver Tim Molton on Wednesday.

Molton didn't hesitate in answering in the affirmative during a private meeting with Miles on the final day of LSU's summer camp. Molton, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound three-sport standout at Destrehan with 4.45-second speed in the 40-yard dash, became LSU's 12th commitment.

"That's where Tim has always wanted to go," Destrehan Coach Steve Robicheaux said after describing the Molton-Miles meeting. "(LSU) had him in camp and loved him. They called his mother (with an official offer), and they discussed it. And he committed to LSU."

In Molton, who could not be reached for comment, LSU has landed a receiver similar in style to Craig "Buster" Davis, the 30th overall selection in this year's NFL draft and the No. 1 pick of the San Diego Chargers. Molton caught 35 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in helping the Wildcats to a 9-1 regular-season mark and 10-2 overall record.

Molton was an All-District 5-5A selection in football, basketball and track in addition to finishing second in the state in the long jump at 24 feet, 2.75 inches at the Class 5A track and field championships. Molton is not yet academically qualified, lacking a test score, Robicheaux said.

"Tim is probably one of the better all-around athletes at our school," said Robicheaux, whose 2007 squad boasts several top Division I prospects. "He could play quarterback. He plays receiver. He punts. He could play point guard on the basketball team. He finished second in the state in the long jump. He's just a tremendous athlete, and he's a real competitor. He runs good routes, and he's got good moves when he gets out in the open. He's real fluid."

Tulane also secured a verbal commitment, its fourth, with the addition of Iowa safety Ian Harson. Harson committed to Coach Bob Toledo and the Green Wave on Tuesday night, Harson and his coach, David Miller, said Wednesday. Harson, 6-0, 175 with 4.6-second speed in the 40, projects to being academically qualified, Miller said.

Harson is entering his third year as a two-way starter for the Yellow Jackets, who were District 4-3A champions in 2006 en route to a 7-4 record. Tulane's coaching staff discovered Harson, Miller said, while reviewing game videotape of another Iowa player whom the Wave has offered a scholarship to, linebacker Seth Granger.

Tulane is the lone school to have extended an official scholarship offer to Harson, although he said he has received interest from Louisiana-Monroe.

"I know they have a pretty good football program, and they are Division I," Harson said. "I've always wanted to play Division I football. They were the first school to come after me, and that gave me a lot of confidence in committing to them."

Mike Strom

BASTROP WR INELIGIBLE: Wide receiver DeAngelo Benton of Bastrop, one of LSU's top recruits, will not join the Tigers this fall because of academic ineligibility, according to Benton's high school coach.

Benton, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound Parade All-American, did not make the required grade-point average on his core high school courses and will attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., in the fall in hopes of coming to LSU in January, Bastrop Coach Brad Bradshaw said.

"He came so close to getting in they (LSU) think he can go to Hargrave and be ready after one semester," Bradshaw said.

Benton caught 41 passes for 869 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

LSU is awaiting word on the academic eligibility of another recruit, Demetrius Byrd of Pearl River (Miss.) Community College. Byrd is retaking two classes he did not pass the previous semester. He caught 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns last season.